(CNN) - Just when you think you’ve heard everything in this race for the White House, along comes something truly surprising. Such was the case on Thursday's American Morning. I was speaking with former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney about Sen. John McCain's new line of attack against Sen. Barack Obama. McCain hopes to paint Obama as a politician who puts party and self-interest above the needs of the nation, claiming that the Illinois senator has “never been a part of a bipartisan group that came together to solve a controversial issue”.

This morning, Romney faithfully repeated that charge. When I pointed out that Obama reached across party lines to work with Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Indiana, on a non-proliferation measure, and with Sen. Gordon Smith, R-Oregon, on increasing gas mileage requirements, Romney shot back, saying that “Actually, on both cases, you’re talking about two liberal positions, non-proliferation as well as the gasoline mileage."

It struck me as rather odd – having covered five years of the Bush administration as a White House correspondent – that the governor would view non-proliferation as a “liberal” issue. I seem to recall a little ditty called the “Proliferation Security Initiative,” launched by President Bush on May 31, 2003. The aim of the initiative is to enlist the nations of the world to “stop trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems and related materials to and from states and non-state actors of proliferation concern.” Whether the program is a success is very much in question (though the administration claims it is), but I’ve never heard anyone call it a “liberal” position.

soundoff(264 Responses)

Tino

Mitt the Loser Romney's comments this morning are nothing but futile efforts to impress John Mcain so that he can be picked as his running mate, but honestly why should people believe this looser who not so long agao ran the most negative campaign in the GOP Primaries against Mcain has all of a sudden been "born again"

June 26, 2008 04:24 pm at 4:24 pm |

Thanks Roberts

we need more journalists like you to call these lying Republicans on the carpet. We, as a country, cannot afford more of the Gray Old party to lie and cheat as they have been for the last 8 years.

June 26, 2008 04:25 pm at 4:25 pm |

John

Just keep drinking the Obama cool aid...The market's down 358 points today if you elect the Marxist Obama it'll be down 3500 points.

June 26, 2008 04:26 pm at 4:26 pm |

Neil K, Lake Forest CA

Non-proliferation isn't a liberal issue. It's a humanity issue.

June 26, 2008 04:32 pm at 4:32 pm |

Robert

No, idiot Romney, the point was that Obama did reach across party lines on both instances – doesn't matter what the issue was. So you and your pal McBush are both wrong – AGAIN.

June 26, 2008 04:35 pm at 4:35 pm |

Joe

Mitt the moron. So he wants offshore drilling and is upset that Barack doesn't? Here's what the G.O.P. doesn't understand. The voters this time are the youtube generation. We can *immediately* look up a fact and determine just how true or false it is.

In the case of offshore oil drilling, it's a complete scam to help big oil companies. Don't be fooled, people. Between 1999 and 2007, permits for drilling oil went up 361%, yet only 17% of the leases acquired to drill oil actually have anyone drilling on them. First, have you seen your oil bill or electric bill go down? Of course not. Second, why aren't the other 84% of oil areas being drilled? And why do they still want more offshore drilling areas?

Folks, big oil simply wants to hold onto these leases and drill for oil when it's even more expensive. They're holding onto it like a stock, waiting for it to ride to a higher price. Again, *84%* of the oil leases TODAY are not being drilled. Ask yourself why that is. McCain is looking to help his cronies and couldn't care less about reducing the price of gas. Even he recently admitted that it wouldn't reduce the price of gas anyway.

June 26, 2008 04:37 pm at 4:37 pm |

beevee

It is obvious that Romney is sucking up to McCain. He will stoop to any level to be a VP nominee. That is politics

June 26, 2008 04:38 pm at 4:38 pm |

McClinton Supporter from Ohio

The real point is that Obama has never stood up to the Democrtic special interest groups ( BIG LABOR, TRAIL LAWYERS, The something for nothing crowd) . McCain has faced the special interests in the Republican party and has the scares to prove it. But he is a person of conviction, courage and principals. Obama has always rolled over to Democratic special interest groups. He lacks courage!!!

June 26, 2008 04:42 pm at 4:42 pm |

bob

"I ask Barack to borrow $30 to pay for gas, and he has yet to respond. That's rude considering $30 is not a lot of money."

but in order for you to save the $30, people will lose jobs, hiway and bridges do not get built or maintained. The oil companies can go up on the price so the savings is nill. the gas tax holiday is a GIMMICK!

June 26, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

Greg, Brattleboro, VT

Folks, your attacks against Obama are empty.

OBAMA forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

June 26, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |

velmeezee

Hey Angus, catch up please! Your sentiments are so 3 months ago. Obama has consistentently stated his plans numerous times. McCain is the one who hasnt. He can't remember them long enough. And by now anyone who cares knows plenty enough about Obama to decide whether he is the best choice for the next POTUS. If YOU don't know "jack" about him that's YOUR own bad. Get off CNN and do some real research. Then come back if you have something truthful to say.

June 26, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |

MurphyMorseJohnson

Romney is full of bologne. He like John McCain is part of the filthy rich Republican crowd that refers to anything good regular families as liberal. In truth, it is the Romneys who put themselves first and what's good for the country second! Regular families know all about the Republican Economy–$5 gas per gallon, trillions to Iraq, trillions owed to China, joblessness instead of jobs, health costs instead of health insurance, education for the rich only, mortgage mania for the rest. Romney–you were a mediocre governor and should go back into the used car business of the Ramblers your father tried to sell before he became "brainwashed".

June 26, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |

IBYE !!!

Romney shot back, saying that “Actually, on both cases, you’re talking about two liberal positions, non-proliferation as well as the gasoline mileage.".................YOU are spinning YOR WHEELS....... MCSame
will not choose U........BYE NOW!!!!

June 26, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |

Patrick Lewis

Ok, I listened to this. Romney so badly butchered his point. The point was that Obama has liberal ideals. Did he say that? No. He said he was stubborn and didn't think for himself, opting instead to follow the party. The spin was to take his liberalism and portray it as a lack of leadership and combine it with ignorance, arrogance, and partisanship.

This is a calculated attack by people who professionally twist words and meanings. They are half truths that add up to a distortion that might as well be a lie. George Orwell would be proud.